Background:
Carbon-coated metal nanoparticle is a kind of unique nuclear-shell material
that is the carbon shell filled with metal particles. It has a great promising future in the application as
excellent solid lubricants additives, conducting resin, antiradiation material and so on. As a mature
technology, the gas detonation method has been widely used to synthesize various nanomaterials.
Method:
Using copper acetylacetonate as a precursor to provide carbon and different concentrations
of argon as a protective medium for the first time, high quality carbon-coated copper nanoparticles
(Cu@C) were synthesized in hydrogen and oxygen. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy
and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to characterize the structure, phase and
constituent of the Cu@C nanoparticles to investigate the influence of argon concentration on the
synthesis.
Results:
The XRD pattern, Raman spectroscopy and TEM images confirm the effect of Ar on synthesizing
Cu@C, especially on particle size. The minimum average size is around 13 nm, and most
of the particle size distribution is in 5-10 nm range. When the argon concentration is high, the detonation
process of H2 and O2 will be suppressed, which is not conducive to the graphitization.
Conclusion:
Argon gas has a catalytic effect on the synthesis of high-quality Cu@C, which could
significantly reduce the particle size of detonation products; the grain size appears an obvious downtrend
with the concentration of argon increasing, but the high concentration of Ar is disadvantageous
for the graphitization of carbon shells.
Melting Point of Carbon Particles behind the Gas Detonation Front
